As the clock runs down from 8 seconds in the loud Nottingham gym, the crowd falls silent as Senior forward Jesse Gates hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game to seal the game for Liverpool and advance their record to 6-3.

This game turned from an apparent first-quarter Liverpool blowout into a last-second battle. The Bulldogs didn’t give up as they outscored the Warriors in the second quarter 17-5 and took a 22-20 lead at halftime.

It appeared that the Bulldogs were starting to lock up a victory at the end of the 3^rd quarter as they led 43-35. Fortunately for Liverpool, there are four quarters in basketball. The Warriors’ defense shut down the Bulldogs just as they did in the first quarter, allowing the opponent only five points and scoring 16.

In the closing seconds of the game, Liverpool found themselves down by two and on defense. They didn’t foul, and it paid off as they got the ball back and advanced the ball up to senior forward Cam Jones, who made the game-tying lay-up. With possession of the ball at 8 seconds remaining, Liverpool head coach Jerry Wilcox called a time out to talk it over with his players and try to pull off a victory.

When they were in the huddle, they drew up a play that would set up junior guard Adam Misener up for 3 or down low for Gates. The referee handed Cam the ball, giving him the go ahead to resume play. This is how the play broke down: Jones calls break, he’s looking for Misener, Misener’s covered, Jones passes it to junior guard Connor Rogers, who passes it to Misener, then Misener passes it over to a wide open Jesse Gates, Gates gathers then shoots and he scores! Ball game over – Liverpool wins.

After the game, Gates and I talked about the game-winning play.

Me: When you got the ball, what was going through your mind?

Gates: That there’s not that much time left and I need to get a shot off fast.

Me: Did you think it was going in once you shot it?

Gates: Yeah, it felt good and looked good in the air.

Me: What is your career high?

Gates: 39 and it was against RFA.

Me: Was that the best shot you have ever made?

Gates: No, actually it was a ¾ of the court shot in a basketball tournament.

Me: How old were you when you did that?

Gates: 15

Me: Thank you for your time and good luck against Central Square.

Gates: Thank you.